CD Reviews

"First of all, while this band has released some interesting studio versions albums, they are at their absolute best as they are here, recorded live.

The music is vibrant, interesting with lots of room for them to stretch out and show the considerable skill of the band's musicians.

I've seen this band perform multiple times and this recording captures the energy I felt in those occasion. The personnel is first rate. Danny Gottlieb being one of the premier and in-demand drummers over the years along with the unique, melodic stylist and bass virtuoso Marc Egan. Joining them here is Gil Goldstein on piano/keyboards/synths. If you don't know that name you should get familiar with it. He's a very gifted musician. He's an excellent soloist, thoughtful in his approach. He exhibits considerable chops while never running away with himself or detracting from the piece. Everything he does is relevant. David Mann is a noteworthy saxophonist who really shines on this and the Volume II Edition of this recording. A strong soprano saxophonist with rich tone. He plays with fire on the up tunes and beautifully (but no syruppy) on the ballads.

Danny's drumming on the up pieces exhibits a unique approach where he makes uses of every drum in the set. His playing is well coordinated. He's kind of a contemporary jazz/fusion disciple of Max Roach. That'; not to compare him to Mr. Roach but to give you an idea of the way he accompanies.

Mark Egan has the melodic electric bass style that one associates with Jaco Pastorius although Mark has taken that style and created his own voice and vocabulary. His bass literally sings through this recording. Equal part bottom and texture. He is essential on every piece.

This recording starts out with "FB 205", an upbeat piece featuring David Mann, Gil Goldstein and Danny Gottlieb. They cook on this one. Both energetic and expansive. The soloists are shown to good effect.

"True Confession" is a mid-tempo piece that starts out like a ballad and then goes to mid tempo, building steam as it goes along.

"Amazon Beauty" is a pretty ballad starting with Gil Goldstein on piano and David Mann coming in on soprano saxophone. Then again the pieces builds intensity then shifts back to an ethereal mode. Gil Goldstein takes a beautiful acoustic piano solo. The piece ebbs and flows, ebbs and flows.

"Eastern Window" is a piece Mark Egan is known for playing where his bass sings and resonates and was originally done in a more spare setting. Here this group creates a version that is every bit the equal of the original and then expands upon it. David Mann is featured to great effect here and he plays excellently, with fire, imagination, intensity and beauty.

A live recording that captures the essence of this group and why I went to see them many times.